Garage Door Spring Help

[Nolift911]

So I have an 8x8 garage door, Amaar, metal foam. As best I can tell it weighs 120lbs according to my bathroom scale. I had a spring break the other day, safety cable saved me so no damage to cars. Sounded like a Howitzer going off in my garage.

But now I need to replace the spring - thought this would be straightforward.

So I "think" I need to replace both sides with 120lbs springs. The issue is the springs are all sold in standard 27 inch lengths (Lowes, HD, etc.) My old spring that broke is like 32. So is it the weight of the door or spring length that matters, or both?

I was thinking I could just swap out the springs but then my cable will need to be cut to match? Or is it just ok to keep the whole setup and install the new springs on each side? I would think the stretch is important??

Anyone?

 

[Chevy-SS]

Safety cables are one of the very best ideas to EVER come along. Such a simple idea, but I'm sure it's saved countless cars, and more importantly PEOPLE - from serious damage/injury.

I've replaced a bunch of springs and I always had to do some adjusting to get proper spring tension. I've replaced them as matched pair of brand new, and then (at times) individually. Of course, there are different springs available, so try to get a set that is appropriate for your door weight.

I basically just adjusted (via tension cable length) until each side had approx same tension, and I could easily open the door with one hand.

Most important step in the whole process IMHO is to make sure those safety cables are secured and positioned properly.

 

[kramarj]

Your best bet is just to call a door company and have them order you the correct set of springs. Springs are very tricky, it isn't just the length that is critical, but the diameter of the spring and the wire size. The big box stores may have a spring that works, but it may not be the correct spring.

It may take a little longer for a door company to order a spring for you, but you will have the correct spring in the end.

 

[jstroede]

This has one of the best explanations of extension springs I have come across:

http://ddmgaragedoors.com/springs/sectional-garage-door-extension-springs.php

The key part is the amount of stretch the springs have. They must have a stretch of at least twice the door height (48" for an 8' high door for instance, though you use the same 48" stretch for a 7'6" high door). The compressed length is measured not including the loops and can vary a little as long as you can fit them in.

John

 

[nickelTwin]

It sounds like you have extension springs. Which are on the side above by thr tracks. if so go by weight for the springs and buy a set of new lift cables. They are cheap insurance.

 

[Jlbc212]

Both the length and pull of the spring matter. The 27" springs are for a 7' high door. You need longer springs. If the springs are over-stretched they will not return to their relaxed length and will lose their strength, just like an over-stretched rubber band. The springs can only be replaced with the door in the up position. Make sure you lock the door in the up position before you disconnect anything. A pair of vise grips locked into the track below one of the rollers will keep the door up. Adjust the cable so that the new spring has about three of inches of pull on it with the door up. This little bit of tension holds the door in the up position.